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Based on my husband's diving experiences to date (and the videos):- Cozumel- Playa del Carmen (Akumal)- ArubaWe had Grenada picked out for our vacation this year and there was plenty of info on the net about the diving there. Unfortunately, the airline/tour operator went bust and so we are heading back to PDC and Cozumel, but my husband was quite looking forward to the diving in Grenada.

I used to teach diving & was certified in 1981. I've logged ALOT of dives over the past 20 years; here's my opinion:

Bonaire -- The best shore diving in the world, and some of the best diving period. Problem: Little topside activity (few restaurants, almost zero nightlife). For hardcore divers or a short stay.

Grand Cayman -- Great blend of diving and topside attractions. Diving off the East End is by far the best -- much better than the more popular West End (Seven Mile Beach) diving.

Little Cayman & Cayman Brac -- Hardcore divers only. Nothing to do on top of the water.

Cozumel -- The best advanced diving in the hemisphere. Strong currents (drift diving) and deep. Not a good choice for beginners. Also some fun things to do topside.

Aruba -- Like Cayman, another great choice for solid diving AND tons of fun topside. More nightlife than Cayman, and better restaurants as well. MY TOP PICK for overall great destination (but definately not the absolute best diving).

In terms of the Caribbean, there is some nice diving near Bimini island in the Bahamas. However, other than for the occasional shore excursion to the "Complete Angler Bar", I'd check into a live-aboard.

Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm going to do some further checking. We'd probably go at the end of May. Ted - thanks especially for your suggestions -- I am a beginner level and my husband is more advanced.

Don't forget Curacao. I was just there at Habitat Curacao. It was great diving...and very warm water. Curacao is relatively unspoiled. The reefs are in god shape and there is wall diving although not quite as sheer as Grand Cayman.Cozumel is excellent also.You can't go wrong with GC, Coz, Curacao, Bonaire.